ZSU-23-4M / ZSU-23-4V1 Physical differences

It was simply the "B" sprue that makes the difference. On one kit, there is an upper portion to the sprue, a common center portion and the lower portion is missing. On the other kit the upper portion is missing, and it has the common center portion and the lower portion.

They could have easily made a two in one kit by including both ends of the "B" sprue.

I had many Shilka's built in the past, never realized that there are 2 different versions of them. They all look the same to me.

Hi. Sorry I was not able to return to this thread for a while. There has been a problem with my ISP. Anyway, thank you all for the reply. I also checked some photos based on Rob's notes and yep, I've noticed the differences. Thanks mate! : )

Now I just need to tear apart my partly built shilka. : ( Need to cut some parts based on the instruction of the photo-etched part (eduard). Lots of work but I'm sure it's totally worth it.

I'm planning to build it set on the 2013 Syrian Civil War but I'm having second thoughts because I also like the Desert Storm Campaign. Thanks! : )

No, I've come to the realization that on this site, if you give an informed opinion on a kit, whether it has any minor or major inaccuracies or suggest any after market items, then you will be labeled a rivet counter. Therefore, the only opinion I will give on a kit here is buy it, build it out of box and have fun.

Edit:

Okay, I went out and dug out the instructions to my old, built -4V1 and compared it to my unbuilt -4M. I was wrong, and there is more part differences. The "B" sprue is the difference. On my unbuilt -4M, the hull side parts (B25 & B26) are different from the parts on the -4V1, but only part B25 has a different side hatch arrangement. The -4M side hull has a third molded on hatch about down through the side.

The right side of the turret has a different piece, B32, that replaces part D7 that is removed from the "D" sprue. There's also a flat, blob shaped object (parts B30 & B31) that goes on the top of the turret (probably some sort of radar) that isn't on the -4V1.

The rest of the kit parts and sprues are identical.

LOL! You're not working for a law office nowadays are you?

You are probably right, I do think there was a different turret body, but all the detail sprue pieces were the same.

I forgot to add my disclaimer to build the kit out of box and have fun. Any other discussion regarding accuracy or engineering of the kit is forbidden.

is that all there is? Nothing about the side turret panniers size? I vaguely recall reading that somewhere.

They are the same kit; one part on the -4M is unused that's used on the -4V1, part D-18. It's a little armored flap that goes under the guns. One is an earlier version used by Warsaw Pact forces (USSR, NVA, Polish, Czech, etc.) and the other is a later version used by post Warsaw Pact forces.

I've got the Italeri boxing of the -4M. On the Italeri boxart, it shows the armored flap part D-18 in place, but on the instruction picture, it is not present. It is shown as an unused part on the parts layout page.

I built the -4V1 decades ago, the only real difference is decals. One comes with Soviet era Warsaw Pact markings and the other includes Warsaw Pact and Arabic nations' markings.

I think the -4M is the one that includes Arabic markings and the -4V1 doesn't.